The Priestess of Suzaku, Lady Miaka…
…in order to find the remaining five of the Suzaku Seven…
…assembled the brightest, strongest, and most gifted men.
But, suddenly, a gazebo collapsed on top of her…
…burying her and Tamahome beneath the rubble.
But, just then, someone appeared to save Lady Miaka from her peril.
It was Nuriko, an imperial consort…
…who carried the mark of “willow” upon her body.
But this woman did not accept her position…
…and began behaving disrespectfully…
…towards the Lady Miaka.
“As the Priestess of Suzaku accepted the boy’s care…”
“…she considered the situation.”
Nuriko would probably get so mad if she saw this.
I feel like I’m doing something wrong.
— What’s wrong? — Do you love Nuriko?
Not at all. We just met today. First of all, she’s not my type.
Really?
Oh, NOW I see! You’re jealous! Oh, dear…
You see, as handsome, strong, kind, and generally wonderful as I am…
…I’m really a terrible guy.
Sorry, but I want money more than love.
You… You’re wrong!
Now I feel even sorrier for Nuriko.
I shouldn’t be jealous.
How long are you gonna laugh?!
Miaka…
What’s wrong?
I was taking a walk earlier by the pond to the west of the palace…
…and I lost the mate to this earring.
Oh, it’s so unusual!
It’s called a Night Glow gem.
When I came to serve in the Imperial Court…
…Mother gave me these earrings, which are a family treasure.
It’d be easier to look for it at night…
…since it glows in the dark…
…but my maids are all scared of the dark and none will go.
Would you like me to look for it for you?
But…
But, it’s important to you, right? Your mom gave you those earrings.
Relax! Just leave this to me!
Well, then, I’ll repay you by agreeing to serve…
…as Nuriko, one of the Suzaku Seven.
Really?! All right!
Okay, wait right here! I swear I’ll find that earring for you!
Go to it.
What?
Yes, Highness. Well, you’re already 18, sir.
It’s time that you considered choosing an empress.
Why else have we assembled the most beautiful women here…
…to serve as your royal consorts?
Highness, why do you ignore the women of the palace?
Because…
Because…?
I am far more beautiful than they.
That was a joke.
Of course, Highness!
For now, ruling the Empire and calming the people are most vital.
I can’t think about choosing an empress now.
But, Highness…
Oh, yes. What about the girl named Nuriko?
Don’t be ridiculous. She’s one of the Suzaku Seven.
She must be relieved of her duties as a consort.
Besides, I’ve had my ideal woman pictured in my mind…
…ever since I was a child.
Your ideal woman?
Miaka. What are you doing out here at this late hour?
Oh, just doing a little favor for Nuriko.
I was on my way to do it.
Are things still not working out between you two?
I’ve heard various reports from my servants.
All right, I’ll issue a direct order to her.
No one can refuse the will of the emperor.
You can’t order a person to feel a certain way.
Besides, I honestly want to make friends with her.
So, first, I have to try to get close to her.
See you! Gotta go!
It should be around here.
What…? How is this possible?
No use… I can’t get out of this!
Can’t breathe… Tamahome! Help me, Tamahome!
Miaka!
It felt like Miaka was calling me just now.
Why is my heart pounding like this?
That girl is such a fool!
Going out to a dark pond to search for an earring that doesn’t exist!
I never set one foot outside of the palace.
To think I’d ever go there!
Indeed.
I wonder if she’s gotten soaked in the pond yet.
That may be fitting for a girl from another world…
…who doesn’t know anything about court etiquette.
Tamahome…
Is what you just said true?
Let go of me, you muscle-bound…!
I won’t let you go! Not to her!
Miaka just wants to be friends with you!
Don’t you understand that?!
I don’t like her! How dare she monopolize you and the emperor!
After I’ve served as a consort for a year…
…without the emperor even noticing me!
That girl just shows up and suddenly everyone loves her!
The emperor is an emperor!
What’s so great about some common girl from another world?!
That’s why I got back at her by going after you!
Oh…
You’re in love with Hotohori— I mean, the emperor.
Miaka! You’re all right?
Wh-What?! I absolutely won’t apologize, you know!
It’s your fault you got tricked.
You’re right.
People only like you because you’re from another world!
Yeah.
Don’t make a fool of me! Aren’t you even a little angry?!
Or are you that forgiving?!
Back at you!
I couldn’t find your earring, but isn’t this a pretty stone?
Here.
You shouldn’t be jealous. There’s nothing between Hotohori and me.
Do you want me to help you? I can tell Hotohori how you feel.
I see. She really wasn’t in love with Tamahome.
So, where exactly does this leave me ?
And?
And, what do you think? She just wants you to notice her a little.
There’s a girl close by who’s completely in love with you!
Miaka, do you have anyone you love?
Me?
Never mind about me!
I have. For a long time now. One and only one.
A girl I’ve dreamed of.
I don’t believe it! It’s dry!
“The emperor told the Priestess of Suzaku of his feelings…”
When I was a child, and first heard the story of…
…the Priestess of Suzaku, who would appear from another world…
…I always wondered what she would be like.
Miaka, you are the girl I imagined.
No other one holds any interest for me.
I only want to know about you. Everything about you…
Tamahome…
What is it?
What’s wrong?!
Tamahome! Nuriko!
And just what are you two doing?
We came to see Miaka.
I know you have special permission to enter my chambers…
…but shouldn’t you have shown better judgement in this case?
Right.
Hotohori, I’d better go to my room.
Miaka, what I said before was the truth.
You said before that you wish to return to your world.
After we’ve gotten the power of Suzaku and this is all over…
…I will make you my empress.
You’d force me to…?!
Of course I wouldn’t order you to do it.
You can’t order people to feel a certain way. Isn’t that right?
I’ll have to get you to fall in love with me.
Sleep here tonight.
I don’t believe this! He just proposed to me!
I couldn’t sleep a wink.
To think I’d hear a love confession from such an elegant person.
I wonder if I’m considered really attractive in this world.
Tamahome heard the whole thing. I wonder how he feels now.
Oh, excuse—
Hi.
That’s it, just “hi”? Because of last night?
Where are you going?
Out to the city. I have work to do.
I came here from the country to work, but I’ve hardly done any.
Wait, I’ll come, too!
You have to make friends with Nuriko…
…and find the other four of the Suzaku Seven as soon as you can.
Tamahome…
Miaka…!
Nuriko…
So, there’s nothing between you and Hotohori, huh?!
Spending the night in the emperor’s room… I’ll never forgive you!
But, I was just…
Tama, dear, wait for me!
And we were right on the verge of being friends.
Now I’m back at square one.
Besides, what’s with Tamahome’s attitude all of a sudden?
He just blew me off like that!
I didn’t even get a chance to say anything!
Doesn’t he care about me?! Okay, let’s go!
I don’t really want to follow them…
…but I want to make friends with Nuriko…
…and find out how Tamahome feels.
And how can Nuriko hang all over him when she loves Hotohori?!
Look, Tama, dear, she’s trying to disguise herself.
— Leave me alone. — Oh, how cold of you!
Okay, folks, your attention, please!
You’ve all heard about the Priestess of Suzaku, haven’t you?
So, what about her?
The Priestess of Suzaku isn’t just from a neighboring country…
…or even from a distant land!
She’s a girl from a completely different world than ours!
Her clothes and belongings are completely different from ours!
And I happen to have some of her amazing possessions for sale!
So gather ‘round!
What are they? Show us!
— It is… — Is he…?
THIS!
He’s still got the chewing gum I gave him.
One piece for one silver tael!
— What?! Too high! — Lower the price!
Not at all…
Tamahome… Are you trying to use me to make some easy money?
Hey, something’s wrong here!
Why do you have the Priestess’ stuff?!
I heard she’s staying with the emperor!
What are you saying?! That he’s lying and trying to cheat you?!
I’m just saying we don’t know if that stuff’s real or not!
He may be saying that so we’ll buy it from him!
But I’m sure he’s not!
Show us some proof!.
It’s a trick, isn’t it?!
Tamahome’s telling you the truth!
I really did give him that gum!
Miaka…
— The Priestess! — The Priestess of Suzaku!
It really is her!
Right, right! Let’s form a line! See me for her autograph!
How about one gold tael for a handshake?
Quit trying to be my manager!
Say, wasn’t the Priestess with that guy before?
You mean he’s for real?
— Let me see her! — I’ll pay two gold taels!
Cut it out!
I think we’re safe here.
Yeah.
Why’d you do that?
Do you think I just cause trouble for you?
I never said anything like that.
Then how do you feel about me?
Sorry to interrupt, but could we talk to you?
So, what do you want to talk about?
You wanna do business, you gotta pay us for the privilege.
No matter where you go, you can always find gangsters!
I don’t have any money.
Then we’re just gonna hafta teach you a little lesson.
Well, well… Cute gal you’ve got there.
Boss!
Get your hands off her!
Don’t be stupid and push me, kid!
I run the rackets around here!
I could always make sure you can’t work in this city!
So, why don’t you just pay up?
Boss, it looks like that girl’s the Priestess of Suzaku.
Oh? That’s great!
Okay, pal, how about we make a deal?
You don’t have to pay us if you want to work around here.
Just let me buy the girl from you for 30 gold taels.
Miaka and Tama are in big trouble!
Hang in there! I’m watching over you!
Sell her for 30 gold taels?! Don’t insult me!
40 gold taels.
35 taels!
40 taels!
37 taels, you greedy SOB!
I said 40 taels, you cheapskate!
Tamahome… How could you?!
You shaking, sister?
Yeah, ‘cuz I’m mad as hell!
I’ll teach you to make a fool of me! I’ll take her myself!.
There are things in this world I won’t sell for any price!
Hmpf!. So, it just turns out like this.
— C’mon, let’s go back. — You idiot!
Now you won’t be able to work around here, right?!
And you got hurt even worse on my account!
Why?! Why would you go this far for me?!
Let’s go.
ANSWER ME!
It’s not important…
I won’t accept that! Because, I… I…!
Because I love you!
Sorry, I don’t feel the same.
I only protect you because you’re the Priestess of Suzaku.
Let’s go back. The emperor will be worried.
Tamahome…
Ta…ma…
“After being rescued, the Priestess of Suzaku collapsed with a fever…”
Miaka, what’s wrong?! Speak to me!
Miaka! Hey, Miaka!
The Lady Miaka has collapsed from…
…the exhaustion of living this unfamiliar life.
The emperor Hotohori then decides…
…that he will return her to her own world.
In order to do this, they set out for the home…
…of Taiitsukun, the controller of the world.
Next time, “Bewildered Heartbeats.”
The heart moves to and fro like a wave.